Rules

Assuming no automatic failure or backlash occurs, the success or failure of the Ritual is determined using a ten- sided die as follows:

• If the number is less than or equal to the Success Number and is not “0,” then the Ritual succeeds.
• If the number is greater than the Success Number or is “0,” then the Ritual marshal rolls a second ten-sided die. Any result but a “0” on the second die roll indicates a flaw. A “0” on the second die roll indicates a backlash, which requires the Ritual marshal to roll a third ten-sided die and look on the Backlash table on the Ritual Scroll to determine the form of the Backlash.

A successful Ritual follows the procedure set forth in “Success,” below. A Ritual that fails or Backlashes follows the procedure set forth in “Failure,” below.

The Ritual marshal either awards the successful caster a temporary tag for the Ritual conducted or makes sure the Ritual effect is carried out by informing the Plot Committee or by personally overseeing the Ritual’s effect. A temporary tag allows the Ritual marshal to write down the Rituals conducted and indicate that a permanent tag for the Ritual should be awarded at the end of the event or at the beginning of the next event that the recipient of the Ritual attends.

The temporary tag should indicate the Ritual’s name, duration, recipient, aspect, effect of the Ritual, and any other pertinent information. The temporary tag should be signed by the Ritual marshal. Recipients should make sure the temporary tag has accurate information and is signed by the proper staff member(s). It is up to the recipient to ensure that the chapter’s Logistics team receives the tag at the end of the event so they may issue a permanent tag.

Please note that the Plot Committee reserves the right to assign plot effects that may not be set forth in the Ritual Scroll. When this occurs, the Plot Committee will likely designate such plot effects effective only in the local chapter.

If the Ritual fails or Backlashes, the Ritual marshal will determine the effect, if any, of the failure or backlash based on the scroll’s charts. Any lasting effects will be written on the player cards of any individuals affected.

Casters are expected to role-play and resolve their flaws and backlashes without complaint for the duration listed on the Ritual Scroll. Local chapters also have the discretion to generate a unique plot effect or encounter based on a Ritual gone awry that may not be specified on the Ritual Scroll.

A Ritual will fail without Backlash if, at the time the caster states “Begin Ritual casting,” any of the following conditions are met:

• The caster, Ritual Scroll and all required components are not in a Circle of Power.
• The caster does not have at least a one in ten chance of successfully completing the Ritual without a flaw or Backlash.
• The Circle of Power representation is not properly set up as per the Circle of Power spell rules prior to the beginning of the Ritual.
• The caster fails to possess a Ritual Scroll for the Ritual to be attempted.
• The caster fails to follow any preparatory requirements indicated on the Ritual Scroll prior to stating “Begin Ritual casting.”

A Ritual will automatically Backlash if any of the following conditions occur after the caster states “Begin Ritual casting” and before the Ritual is complete:

• Another Ritual casting has previously been commenced and not completed in the same Circle of Power when the caster states “Begin Ritual casting.”
• A reagent provided for the Ritual has expired.
• The caster does not touch a designated recipient within thirty seconds of starting the Ritual, if such a designation is necessary.
• The caster designates an invalid recipient for the Ritual after stating “Begin Ritual casting.”
• The caster, intentionally or inadvertently, after having touched a designated recipient for the Ritual, designates a new recipient of the Ritual.
• The caster or other person designated in the Ritual Scroll fails to touch the recipient when declaring a Skill or spell to store in the recipient.
• The caster cannot read the Ritual Scroll due to poor lighting or other obscuring factors.
• The caster loses sight of the Ritual Scroll or any of the components.
• The Ritual Scroll or Ritual components leave the Circle of Power.
• The caster becomes unable to use Game Abilities.
• Any individual enters the Circle of Power by any means other than Spirit Walk, Spirit Recall, or Resurrection.
• The recipient, caster, or any individual aiding in the Ritual leaves the Circle of Power.
• The Circle of Power expires or terminates for any reason.
• The caster or those aiding the caster receive a Weapon or Packet delivered attack, even if the attack would not normally harm the individual.
• Any additional requirements of the Ritual listed on the Ritual Scroll are not met.
• The caster uses a Game Ability other than High Magic, Educated, or a Game Ability, spell, or Magic Item specifically indicated on the Ritual Scroll.

If an automatic backlash occurs, a die roll is made upon the backlash list. Any Ritual that suffers an automatic backlash is assumed to immediately fail. All Ritual Scrolls, catalysts and reagents within the Circle of Power during a Ritual that generates an automatic Backlash are destroyed.

Once success or failure has been resolved, the Ritual marshal should collect all Ritual components and Ritual Scrolls consumed in the Rituals. These will be turned into the Logistics staff to be registered in the campaign’s database. If there are more components in the caster’s possession than were needed to cast the Ritual, the caster may designate which components were consumed as long as they meet the requirements set forth in the Ritual Scroll.